5 of the Best Contemporary Art Spaces in Milan

From Rome to Naples, Italy’s great cities continue to impress travellers who want to delve into its cultural past. If, however, you’re interested in the contemporary scene, Milan is the place to be. While many tourists will be drawn to the classics – da Vinci’s The Last Supper and numerous works of Caravaggio come to mind – it’s definitely worth checking out the artistic landscape of today in the city. So I’ve put together this list of the five best contemporary art spaces in the city, so you can fully immerse yourself in Milan’s vibrant culture. And if you’re wondering about an easy and comfortable way to get there, I’ll let you know about Shuttle Direct’s Milan airport shuttles.

1. PAC

Padiglione d'Arte Contemporanea, otherwise known as PAC, can be found in the centre of Milan next to the Modern Art Gallery. In recent years, PAC has put on shows from such artistic heavyweights as Lucio Fontana, Jeff Wall and Robert Motherwall. As well as its busy calendar of exhibitions, the organisation works to promote contemporary art through educational events for adults and children.

2. Base

Opened in March 2016, Base hosts exhibitions and events promoting contemporary art, while also serving as a buzzing meeting point for creative types. The open plan space is incredibly versatile, housing a bar, co-working area and even a guesthouse. Base is located in Tortona, widely regarded as one of the most important design-focused areas of Milan.

3. Via Farini

This exhibition space has been showcasing work by some of the best Italian and international artists since 1991. It’s a not-for-profit organisation – complete with work and study facilities – known for experimentation and its reliably exciting atmosphere.

4. Fondazione Prada

Located in a former gin distillery, Fondazione Prada brings together some of Milan’s finest art, design and culture. Architecturally, the complex is stunning: there’s a mixture of new and regenerated buildings including warehouses, brewing silos and a beautiful courtyard. Make sure you set aside some time for the brilliant bookshop and stop in at Bar Luce, a café designed by director Wes Anderson.

5. Pirelli HangarBicocca

Once an industrial warehouse, Pirelli HangarBicocca is now an acclaimed centre of contemporary art. It features over 15,000m2 of exhibition space, used for major solo shows every year by artists from around the world. As well as temporary exhibitions and cultural events, Pirelli HangarBicocca is also home to one of Anselm Kiefer’s most important site-specific works, The Seven Heavenly Palaces 2004-2015.

How to Get There Flying to Milan is a straightforward affair, with regular routes operating from multiple UK airports. One of the most popular places of arrival is Milan Malpensa Airport, roughly 30 miles north of the city. With Shuttle Direct’s Milan airport shuttles, it’s only a 55-minute journey into town. Whether you choose a shared shuttle or a private taxi to get to Milan, airport shuttles from Shuttle Direct provide easy and reliable access to your destination. As well as our Milan airport shuttles, we can pick you up from the city’s train station if you’re travelling by rail, and bring you back to the station or airport at the end of your stay.

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct, the number one provider of shared and private airport transfers all over Europe and northern Africa. If you’re looking for affordable Milan airport shuttles, Lukas and his colleagues can make sure that you and your luggage get to and from the airport swiftly and safely.